Dunleavy Deal Might Be Near

The Clippers hope to reach a contract extension agreement with Coach Mike Dunleavy next week while the team opens training camp in Russia.

“Something could happen, but nothing is set in stone,� Dunleavy said Friday. “We’ll have some time to talk in Russia.�

Dunleavy’s long-term status is the key issue facing the Clippers, among four teams beginning the preseason in Europe to promote the NBA, as they return to work after the most successful season in franchise history. It appears owner Donald T. Sterling and Andy Roeser, executive vice president, would prefer to reach a deal before Oct. 10, when the Clippers start a training-camp stint at Santa Barbara City College.

“It’s real, real important for the team to keep Mike here,� point guard and co-captain Sam Cassell said. “For what that man has done, he deserves to get paid.�

The Clippers’ record has improved each season under Dunleavy, who could become a free agent after the season. Last season, the Clippers had their highest victory total in California, set a franchise mark for road victories, made their first playoff appearance in nine seasons and won a postseason series for the first time in 30 years. They advanced to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Phoenix Suns.

Sterling has credited Dunleavy for much of the team’s improvement the last three seasons, and Roeser, not known for publicly praising team employees, said he was confident the Clippers would defeat the Denver Nuggets in a first-round playoff series because “we have Mike Dunleavy.�

Dunleavy played a key role in the off-season as the Clippers persuaded Cassell to return and lured free-agent forward Tim Thomas from Phoenix.

“I was here before he was, so I’ve seen the changes he’s instilled,� power forward and co-captain Elton Brand said. “The play of this team has improved immensely.�

With a salary of $2.5 million, Dunleavy -- the 1999 NBA coach of the year -- has a below-market package for someone with his experience, especially with his significant input in player-personnel decisions.

Roeser and Dunleavy’s agent, Warren LeGarie, made little progress in previous talks. Dunleavy was believed to be seeking a four-year extension for about $6 million a season, sources said, but the team wasn’t in that neighborhood. It seems, however, the Clippers are willing to elevate Dunleavy among the game’s highest-paid coaches, which could be accomplished with a salary in the $4.5-million range.

In addition to negotiating with Dunleavy in Russia, the Clippers might reward General Manager Elgin Baylor -- the 2005-06 NBA executive of the year -- with a new contract. Baylor, who has a good working relationship with Dunleavy, is the league’s lowest-paid general manager.

“Mike and ‘Pops’ ... those guys are a good team,� Cassell said of Dunleavy and Baylor. “Just look at where the Clippers are now.�

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Backup center Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined most of last season because of heart and conditioning problems, did not accompany the team to Russia because of back problems.

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